Congress stages protest seeking withdrawal of ‘illegal’ cases against Rahul Gandhi

Congress leaders taking out a protest rally in Vijayawada on Tuesday. | Photo Credit: K.V.S. Giri The Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) on Tuesday staged a protest in Vijayawada, demanding the immediate withdrawal of what it termed “illegal” cases registered against Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi.Congress leaders and workers took out a rally from the party office, Andhra Ratna Bhavan, to Dharna Chowk, where they staged a protest. Holding placards, they raised slogans against what they described as “political vendetta” by the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre.Addressing the gathering, APCC working president Mastan Vali alleged that the BJP-RSS combine was trying to intimidate Mr. Rahul Gandhi by filing politically motivated cases against him for raising issues concerning the people. He said the registration of FIRs and alleged misuse of the SC/ST Act would not intimidate Congress leaders.The Congress, he said, had a history of sacrifices during the freedom struggle and in protecting democracy and constitutional values. Referring to Mr. Rahul Gandhi’s statement that “no matter how many cases you file, they are all ornaments for me”, Mr. Mastan Vali said it continued to inspire Congress workers.He asserted that the party would fight to protect the Constitution, democracy, equality and people’s rights. He also questioned the alleged “purification” of a place visited by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge during an election campaign, terming it an insult to constitutional and democratic values.Former Minister and senior Congress leader J.D. Seelam said questioning the government and highlighting people’s problems were the fundamental responsibilities of the Opposition in a democracy. Filing cases against Mr. Rahul Gandhi out of political vendetta, he said, was against the spirit of democracy.The Congress leaders demanded the immediate withdrawal of the cases against Mr. Rahul Gandhi and an end to what they described as political vendetta against Opposition leaders.APCC vice-president Kolanukonda Shivaji, State Congress leaders, district and city presidents, leaders of affiliated organisations, and workers of the Mahila Congress, Youth Congress and NSUI participated in the protest. Published - September 08, 2026 08:34 pm IST